Advertising device rotated by heat motors



April 5, 1949. l.. CASPER ADVERTISING DEVICE ROTATED BY HEAT MOTORS AFiled Dec.

INVENTOR AT ORNEY Patented Apr. 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEADVERTISING DEVIrIgTATED BY HEAT 4 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to advertising devices and moreespecially to devices of this type which include one or more rotatableelements, such as discs, upon which are displayed advertising legends,slogans and/or pictures. In the preferred form of the invention thediscs are housed in a container which may be shaped like a bottle, andthe discs are rotated by a motor within the container, the motorpreferably being operated from a source of heat such as an electriclamp.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe type mentioned above of novel and relatively simple construction andarranged in such a manner that various portions of the disc or discscontained therein are successively brought to a viewing position, themoving discs serving also to attract attention to the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovetype which will operate for an indefinite period and which contains aminimum of moving parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device which,because of its simplicity and minimum of moving parts, will requirelittle or no adjustment or care after once having been assembled.

Another still further object of the invention is to provide means forcreating the illusion of ya bubbling liquid in the container of thedevice such as in the neck of the bottle when a bottleshaped containeris employed.

In connection with the above it is a further object of the invention tocreate the bubbling i1- lusion from the same source of fuel that isemployed to operate the disc rotating motor.

The above and still further objects of the invention will be moreapparent in the following detailed description of the preferred and onemodified form wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a plan or top view of a device constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device with a section of the casingthereof broken away;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the device taken substantially online 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a modified light and heat reflectingarrangement; and

Fig. 5 is an illustration of the invention Wherein the container thereofis box shaped.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thehousing or container is indicated in general by reference numeral IB. Inthe modification of the invention disclosed in these figures, thecontainer is bottle-shaped and has a neck Illa. The container rests on acushion or gasket Inc which is mounted on a base I 0b. The VcushionA'I'Ilc is preferably made of rubber or a like substance.

Secured to the base Ib by screws such as IB is a pair of upwardlyextending bearing supports I5 which have at the upper ends thereofbearing I4. Pivotably Isupported in the bearing I4 in .a horizontalposition is a shaft or rod I2. The bearing supports I5 are of suchlength that the shaft is somewhere near the center of the housing whenthe saine is on the base.

Secured to the center of the shaft I2 is a hub II which has extendingthrough a radial hole therein a tube 20. The tube 20, preferably ofglass, is fixed to the hub II Iand has at the ends thereof bulbs -2I,2Ia, which also are preferably of glass. The bulbs 2'I, 21a are hollowvand the tube 20 provides a passageway from the interior of one bul-b tothe other. The ends of the tube 210 are sealed into each bulb 2/I, Elawhich are substantially of xequal size. The tube and bulbs are arrangedin the hub I in such a manner that iff the bulbs and tube were empty,they would substantially balance one another.

Also secured to the shaft I2 adjacent the ends thereof is a pair ofdiscs 22 and 22a. The discs 22, 22a have on the outside -faces thereofadventising matter 22h, such as lettering, slogans, and/or pictures, andvthese are successively brought to `a viewing position as they rotate.The manner in which the ydiscs 22, 22a are rotated will be describedhereinafter.

The bulbs 2| Aand 24a and tube .20 have therein a .liquid the .quantityof which is `subi-cient to substantially fill one lbulb and the tube.The

liquid is preferably volatile and may be alcohol or a :similar liquid,and may also be colored so that movement thereof from one bulb .to theother, in a manner `pointed out, may ybe more readily observed and/.orserve to attract attention thereto. The remaining parts of the tube andbulbs are partially evacuated.

Secured to the base Ib adjacent the left hand central portion thereof byscrews such as Ia is a lamp bracket I 8 and a reflector II. The bracketI8 holds a lamp I9 in a horizontal position adjacent the center of thebase Illb, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When one of the bulbs 2| or 2Ia contains more of the liquid than theother, it will be heavier, and since the shaft I2 with its attachedelements is otherwise balanced, the bulb with the greater amount ofliquid therein will cause the shaft and associated elements to rotateuntil the heavier bulb is in its lowermost position. Fig. 2 shows thebulb 2|a in substantially such a position, and

in this position the bulb and the liquid therein v are subject to theheating effect of the lamp I9 to a considerably greater extent than theother or uppermost bulb 2l and any liquid that may be contained therein.

Since the liquid in the tube and bulbs 2Iisv highly volatile and theremainder of the volume thereof is evacuated, a relatively small amountof heat applied to the lowermost one of the bulbs such as the bulb 2Ialin Fig. 2 will cause the liquid therein to vaporize, bubble or boil.Such action of the liquid increases the pressure in the lower bulbwhereupon the liquid is forced therefrom and up the tube 20 and into theuppermost one of the bulbs, such as the bulb 2i in Fig. 2. The ends ofthe tube 20 extend into the bulbs 2l so that when a bulb is in itslowermost position, the end of the tube thereon is adjacent the bottomof such a bulb. With this arrangement substantially all of the liquid ina bulb in its lower position can be forced therefrom by sulcientlyincreasing the pressure of the gas in the bulb above the liquid.However, in normal operation of the device this condition may never bereached.

As the liquid from the lowermost bulb, such as 2Ia.in Fig. 2, is forcedupward, it enters the uppermost one of the bulbs, such as 2I. Some timebefore the major portion of the liquid has left the lower bulb, theweight of the liquid in the upper bulb will be greater than that left inthe lower. This condition creates an unbalance of the shaft I2 with itsattached elements and when the unbalance is suflcient to overcome thefriction tending to hold the shaft I2 at rest, the same will rotateuntil the heavier bulb is in the lower position. This bulb with theliquid contained therein is now subject to the heat from the lamp I9whereupon the direction of flow of the liquid is reversed and the bulbwhich is at this time in the upper position will soon contain a greaterweight of the liquid than the lower one. This will cause the shaft tomake another half revolution. The bulbs 2I and 2Ia will now be back tothe position shown in Fig. 2, and such cycle of operation will berepeated as long as heat is supplied from the lamp I9. The bulbs 2I and2Ia with their connecting tube 2U in conjunction with the heat from thelamp I9 are what may be termed a heat motor or heat engine for rotatingthe shaft I2 and its attached elements.

Depending upon a number of factors such as the amount of heat given olfby the lamp I9, the degree of vacuum in the tube and bulb system, andthe volatility of the liquid employed, the time required for a givenamount of liquid to move from one bulb to the other may be varied andhence the. number of revolutions of the shaft I2 in a given time may becontrolled. T he abovev factors may be such that the shaft I2 rotatesone half revolution at a time and stops for a time between each halfrevolution or they may be such that the shaft rotates continuously.

If half revolutions at a time of the shaft are desired with definiteperiods of rest between such half revolutions, a latch may be employedto prevent oscillation of the shaft between each half revolution. Thelatch may take the form of a light leaf spring, such as SI, Figs. 2 and3, mounted on an arm 32 of one of the bearing supports I5 in such amanner that the end of the spring is in operative relation withprojections 33 on the periphery of the adjacent disc 22a. The inertia ofthe shaft I2 with its associated elements is sufficient to rotate theheavier bulb slightly beyond dead center, to a position such as thatshown in Fig. 2, and in such a position the end of the leaf spring 3lengages a projection 33 on the disc 22a to prevent reverse rotation ofthe shaft and disc. The latch also insures rotation of the shaft I2always in the same direction.

If faster rotation of the shaft I2 is desired than can be obtained fromthe employment of one set of bulbs and a connecting tube, more sets mairbe employed. For example, if two sets were employed and their connectingtubes 20 placed at right angles, there would be, other things remainingthe same, approximately twice the rotative force applied to the shaftI2.

Secured to the container or housing II), either on the inside or outsidethereof, on the surfaces that are in planes parallel to the plane of thediscs 22 and 22a, are masks or labels 23. Of course, if the containerIIl has rounded or oval sides, the masks 23 are on the wide portionsthereof. Curved slots or transparent portions, such as 23a, in the maskspermit portions of the discs 22, 22a to be Viewed therethrough and asthe discs rotate the advertising matter thereon 2 and 3.

in the corresponding ring is observable.

When it is desired that the advertising matter on the discs 22, 22a movefrom right to left, the slots 23d in the mask on the side of the casingI0 should be above the center of the shaft I2 where the disc appears torotate in a counterclockwise direction and below the center on the sidewhere the disc appears to rotate in a clockwise direction. However, ifthe shaft rotates intermittently half a revolution at a time and at sucha rate that would make reading or observing the display or the discsdifficult, there may be slots 23a both above and below the center of theshaft I2 in both masks, in the manner shown in Figs.

Obviously, where one mask has a plurality of slots each is a differentdistance from the axis of the shaft I2 so that a ring of printing, forexample, on a disc 22 will be observable only through its associated orrespective slot 23a.

In order to further attract attention to the device of the presentinvention, and particularly when the entire device is shapedsubstantially like a bottle, a bubbling effect in a particular partthereof, such as in the neck, is produced so as to represent a bottle ofsparkling or bubbling liquid. This bubbling effect is obtained by a pairof stationary'bulbs 24 and 25 connected by a tube 25. The tube and bulbset is stationary within the container I0 and is held in place by aclamp 29 on one of the bearing supports I5 engaging the tube 25. Thelower bulb 24 is located so as to be affected by the heat from the lampI9 and the upper bulb is located in the neck IOa of the housing. Anamount of liquid is placed in this set to substantially fill the lowerbulb 24, and the tube.

25, and to approximately half fill the upper bulb s amande 26. The.liquid is preferably a highly volatile liquid, like that in the othertube and bulb system, and the stationary system is partially evacuated.The liquid in the stationary 4system may also be 'colored to simulate abeverage.

When the liquid and lower bulb 24 are heated by the lamp I9, the liquidvaporizes or boils, and since the end of the tube 25 extends into thelower section of the bulb 24, the vaporization of the liquid will force'the same up the tube 25. As the warmer liquid moves up the tube 25, duein part to the effect of the heat from the lamp i9 on the liquid in thelower end of the tube, the liquid will vaporize in the tube and formbubbles therein. The bubbles will rise in the tube and on entering theupper bulb 26 will agitato the liquid therein and in this manner causethe liquid to simulate a bubbling liquid. The cooler liquid from theupper bulb 26 will llow downward along the inner Wall of the tube 25 asthe vaporized bubbles pass upward.

In order to concentrate the heat from the lamp i9 on the lower bulb 24of the stationary set and to minimize the amount of heat ,that thedescending bulb of the rotatable set is subjected to, a shield such as28 may be employed. This shield is attached to one of the bearingsupports I5 and the inside thereof may have a reflective surface so asto reflect some of the heat from the lamp toward the ascending one ofthe rotatable set of bulbS.

The reflector l1 around the lower part of the lamp i9 `in addition toreflecting the heat from the lamp toward the lower bulb 24 of thestationary set and the ascending one of the rotatable set, also reflectsthe light from the lamp to illuminate the outer` surfaces of the discs22, 22a. Furthermore, light from the lamp I9 also to a considerableextent illuminates the upper bulb 26 of the stationary set to enhancethe attractiveness thereof.

Air is allowed to circulate through the device so as to prevent it frombecoming overheated. The air enters the device through holes such as Mldof suitable size and number in the base llb and escapes by means of an`upper vent such as the hole ll] of Fig. l inthe cap.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the casing of thedevice is boxlike. Here the casing is indicated by the referencecharacter C and in substantially all other respects the modification maybe constructed substantially like that of Figs. l to 3. In themodification of Fig. 5 the stationary set of bulbs 24 and 26 may bedispensed With or, if desired, .a picture or other representation of abottle may be placed on the mask 23 and the upper bulb 26 of thestationary set located in any part thereof.

From the above it is evident that an attractive and novel display deviceis provided which may represent a bottle or any other article. Such adisplay device has many advantages over those known heretofore, and itis obvious that various modifications thereof can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention, andit is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be placed thereonas are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the type described, said device including a casing orcontainer having therein a rotatable means, means including a heat motorfor rotating said rotatable means, an electric lamp also within saidcasing for furnishing heat for said heat motor, said rotatable meansincluding one :or .more @discs having :advertising matter on Ithe faces`thereof, "one vbr more viewing windows or .slots in said casing forviewing successive segments of the advertising matter on the faces ofsaid discs as 'they rotate, :a vreflector adjacent said lamp and meansincluding said reector for reecting .light from said electric lamp tothe faces of .said discs and heat to said heat motor.

2. In a device of the type described, said device including a casing orcontainer having therein a rotatable means, said rotatable means beingvimpelled by a heat motor operating by the heat from an electric lamp,said rotatable means including a pair of spaced apart disclike memberson either side of said heat motor with .lettering or pictorialillustrations on the faces thereof, one or more viewing Windows or slotsin the front and back of said casing in line with the lettering orpictorial illustrations on said discs Whereby successive portionsthereof are observable as said discs are rotated by said rotatablemeans, a reflector adjacent said lamp and means 1ncluding said reflectorand said electric lamp for directly illuminating the faces of said discsand reflecting heat to said motor.

3. In a device of :the type described, said device including a casing orcontainer having rotatable means therein, said rotatable means includinga hub mounted on a shaft supported within said container, one or moretubes supported by said hub and rotatable therewith, each of said tubeshaving a bulb attached at eac-h end thereof and diametrically locatedwith Irespect to said shaft, a volatile liquid contained within each ofsaid tubes and -their attached'bulbs, an electric lamp contiguous to oneof said bulbs at a time in `the lower section of the path of movementthereof as said shaft rotates, means including lthe heat from said lampto lcause said vol-atile liquid to rise to the upper bulb of a apair andthereby cause said upper bulb to overweigh the lower bulb Whereupon saidoverweighted bulb rotates to a position contiguous to said lamp, a pairof discs integral to said hub on either side of said tubes and bulbs,said discs having lettering or pictorial markings thereon, one or moreWindows -or viewing slots in said casing, said slots in viewing positionand in line with the lettering or pictorial markings on said discs wheresaid markings are observable .through said slots as said discs rotatethrough the medium of said rotatable means and means to prevent rotationof said discs in one direction, illuminating and reflecting means insaid container for directly illuminating said lettering or pictorialmarkings on said discs, said illuminating means comprising said electriclamp within the container.

4. In a device of the type described, said device including a casing orcontainer having rotatable means contained therein, said rotatable meansincluding a heat motor operated by the heating effect of an electriclamp also within said container, said rotatable means having rotatabletherewith and at the sides of said heat motor a pair of disclike membersupon which lettering or pictorial markings lare inscribed on the atsurface thereof, openings or transparent sections in the shell of saidContainer through which said markings on said disclike members may beviewed, a glass tube mounted in said casing having a glass container atone end thereof contiguous to said electric lamp, a glass container atthe other end of said tube, a volatile liquid in said tube andcontainers, said volatile liquid 7 being caused to expand and vaporizebythe heat from said lamp, yand causing thereby said volatile liquid toflow to said glass more remote from said lamp and produce a bubblingeiTect in said remote container, a. light and heat reector adjacent saidlamp land means including said reflector for directing light from saidlamp to said bubbling volatile liquid and said lettering or markings onsaid `disclike members and heat from said lamp to said heat motor yandthe said container contiguous with said lamp.

LOUIS CASPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number Number 1 509,143 837,063

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Iske Sept. 11, 1888 Huckle Oct. 24, 1911Celane et al. Nov. 7, 1922 Meurer Jan. 27, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS CountryDate Great Britain July 3, 1939 France Nov. 3, 1938 Switzerland Sept.24, 1913

